X10 Big Picture VK25A User manual

MODEL VK25A OWNER'S MANUAL
(INCLUDES VA23A VGA-TO-VIDEO CONVERTER,
VT24A TRANSMITTER, VR20A RECEIVER, AND
JR20A MOUSE REMOTE)
The Big Picture™
PC AUDIO/VIDEO EXTENDER SYSTEM
VA23A
VR20A
VT24A
JR20A

2
INTRODUCTION
Your Big Picture™ kit consists of a VGA to Video Converter, a Video
Transmitter, a Video Receiver, and a Wireless Mouse Remote. The
VGA to Video Converter converts the VGA signals from your PC to
Composite Video (the type of signals most TVs will accept) and also
passes the VGA signals to your regular PC monitor.
The Video Transmitter converts the video signals from the VGA to
Video Converter into a 2.4 GHz radio signal and transmits it (even
through walls) to the Video Sender Receiver. The Video Sender
Receiver converts the signals back to A/V signals which are fed
through a cable to your TV's A/V input jacks.
The Wireless Mouse Remote lets you control your PC from the room
where your TV is.
There are just a few simple steps to follow to hook up your Big Picture
kit.
WARNING:
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this product
to rain or moisture.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read Instructions - All the safety and operating instructions should be read
before the product is operated.
2. Retain Instructions - The safety and operating instructions should be retained for
future reference.
3. Heed Warnings - All warnings on the product and in the operating instructions
should be adhered to.
4. Follow Instructions - All operating and use instructions should be followed.
5. Cleaning - Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use
liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
6. Attachments - Do not use attachments not recommended by the product
manufacturer as they may cause hazards.
7. Water and Moisture - Do not use this product near water - for Example, near a
bath tub, wash bowl, kitchen sink, or laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a
swimming pool; and the like.
8. Accessories - Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod,
bracket, or table. The product may fall, causing serious injury to a child or
adult, and serious damage to the product. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod,
bracket, or table recommended by the manufacturer, or sold with the product.
Any mounting of the product should follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and
should use a mounting accessory recommended by the manufacturer.
9. A product and cart combination should be moved with care.
Quick stops, excessive force and uneven surfaces may cause the
product and cart combination to overturn.
10. Ventilation - Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation and
to ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect if from overheating,
and these openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never
be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar surface.
This product should not be placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or
rack unless proper ventilation is provided or the manufacturer’s instructions have
been adhered to.
11. Power Sources - This product should be operated only from the type of power

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source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type or power
supply to your home, consult your product dealer or local power company. For
products intended to operate from battery power, or other sources, refer to the
operating instructions.
12. Grounding or Polarization - This product is equipped with a polarized
alternating current line plug (a plug having one blade wider than the other).
This plug will fit into the power outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If
you are unable to insert the plug fully into the cutlet, try reversing the plug. If the
plug should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete
outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug.
13. Power-Cord Protection - Power supply cords should be routed so that they are
not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them,
paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the
point where they exit from the product.
14. Lightning - For added protection for this product during a lightning storm, or
when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from
the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable system. This will prevent
damage to the product due to lightning and power-line surges.
15. Overloading - Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or integral
convenience receptacles as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.
16. Object and Liquid Entry - Never push objects of any kind into this product
through openings as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short-out parts
that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the
product.
17. Servicing - Do not attempt to service this product yourself as opening or
removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer
all servicing to qualified service personnel.
18. Damage Requiring Service - Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer
servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions:
a) When the power-supply cord or plug is damaged,
b) If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into the product,
c) If the product has been exposed to rain or water,

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d) If the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions.
Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions as an
improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will often
require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to its
normal operation,
e) If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way, and
f) When the product exhibits a distinct change in performance - this indicates a
need for service.
19. Heat - The product should be situated away from heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other products including amplifiers) that
produce heat.
FCC CAUTION
THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES.
OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS:
(1)THIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE, AND
(2)THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED, INCLUDING
INTERFERENCE THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED OPERATION.
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy, and if not installed and
used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturers instructions, it may
cause interference to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and
found to comply with the limits for remote control devices in accordance with the
specifications in Sub-Parts B and C of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to
provide reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by unplugging the equipment, try to correct the interference
by one or more of the following measures.
• Reorient the antenna of the radio/TV experiencing the interference.
• Relocate the equipment with respect to the radio/TV.
• Move the equipment away from the radio/TV.
• Plug the equipment into an outlet on a different electrical circuit from the radio/TV
experiencing the interference.
• If necessary, consult your local Dealer for additional suggestions.
NOTE: Modifications to this product will void the user's authority to operate this
equipment.

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CONTENTS
BEFORE YOU START ........................................................ 8
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS ...................................... 10
V
IDEO S ENDER T RANSMITTER ........................................... 10
V IDEO S ENDER R ECEIVER ................................................ 11
VGA TO V IDEO C ONVERTER .......................................... 12
C ABLES ...................................................................... 13
CONNECTING UP ........................................................... 14
VGA TO V IDEO C ONVERTER WITH S ERIAL M OUSE ............... 14
VGA TO V IDEO C ONVERTER WITH PS/2 M OUSE ............... 15
H OOKING UP THE V IDEO S ENDER T RANSMITTER ................... 16
H OOKING UP THE V IDEO S ENDER R ECEIVER ........................ 17
H OOKING UP WITH A DSS R ECEIVER ................................ 18
F INE T UNING THE V IDEO S ENDER R ECEIVER ........................ 19
R ESOLUTION AND P ICTURE A DJUSTMENT ............................ 20
MOUSE REMOTE ............................................................ 21
I
NTRODUCTION ............................................................. 21
I NSTALLING B ATTERIES .................................................... 22
B UTTON D ESCRIPTIONS .................................................. 23
B UTTON D EFAULTS ........................................................ 25
M OUSE O PERATION ...................................................... 29
S OFTWARE I NSTALLATION ................................................ 30
S OFTWARE C ONFIGURATION ............................................ 30

7
T YPICAL A PPLICATION S CENARIO ...................................... 35
S ETTING UP FOR TV, VCR, C ABLE B OX AND S ATELLITE ......... 36
C ODE L ISTINGS ............................................................ 37
U SING AUX .............................................................. 51
S EARCHING FOR C ODES ................................................. 52
I DENTIFYING C ODES F OUND WITH C ODE S EARCH ................. 53
S ETTING THE S LEEP T IMER ............................................... 55
X-10 HOME AUTOMATION .......................................... 56
C
ONTROLLERS AND M ODULES .......................................... 56
H OUSECODES AND U NIT C ODES ....................................... 57
I NSTALLING X-10 C OMPONENTS ..................................... 57
T RANSCEIVER M ODULE ................................................... 57
L AMP M ODULE ............................................................ 58
C ONTROLLING X-10 M ODULES WITH THE M OUSE R EMOTE .... 59
S ETTING THE X-10 S LEEP T IMER ...................................... 60
C HANGING THE X-10 H OUSECODE .................................. 61
U SING AN IR M INI C ONTROLLER (IR543) ........................ 62
EXPANDING YOUR SYSTEM ............................................ 63
TROUBLESHOOTING ........................................................ 65
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ................................................. 69

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BEFORE YOU START
Before you start installing your Big Picture System it is recommended
that you read at least pages 10 through 20 of this manual. This will
familiarize you with the basic hardware installation. If you follow the
steps on these page you will then be able to see a picture from your
PC on our TV screen and have basic cursor control from the Mouse
Remote. You can then proceed with the rest of the manual and install
the Mouse Remote Software for more functionality.
However, if you are eager to get started you can instead launch the
installer that comes on the included disk and follow the instructions on
the screen.
For Windows 3.x
Insert the Setup Disk or CD into your Floppy or CD drive. Launch File
Manager and click on the drive letter for your Floppy or CD drive
and double-click on Setup.exe. Follow the on-screen prompts.
For Windows 95.
Insert Setup Floppy or CD into your Floppy or CD drive. Use Explorer
to open your Floppy or CD drive and double-click on Setup.exe.
Follow the on-screen prompts.
The installer first shows you the screen on the next page.
If you click on the first button and click Next, you are guided through
a series of screens that represent the pages in the manual which
cover the hardware installation (pages 10 through 20). You can refer
to the manual at the same time if you like.
Then if you click on the second button (Video Driver) and click Next
you see a series of screens that explain how to set your desktop
resolution to 640 x 480 (which is the required resolution for the Big
Picture System, see page 20).

9
Then if you click on the third button (Desktop) and then click Next,
you are shown how to set up user profiles. This lets you decide when
you boot up whether you want your PC to boot to its normal mode or
to the mode you use for the Big Picture System. For example, you
could set a profile for the Big Picture that uses larger fonts (that are
easier to read on your TV). You could also move your desktop icons
away from the edge of the monitor screen so they all show up
properly on your TV screen. If you don't do this some icons might be
partially off the edge of your TV screen.
Finally when you click Mouse and then click Next, you launch the
installer for the Mouse Remote software as described on page 30.

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310 MHz
Antenna for
Mouse Remote
Features
Mouse
Extender Jack
(to VA23A)
A/V Input
Jacks
Power Cord
2.4 GHz
Video
Antenna
Power On-Off
Switch
Channel
Switch
CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS
DC OUT Jack
(to VA23A)
V IDEO S ENDER T RANSMITTER (VT24A)

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A/V Output
Jacks
Power Cord
Channel
Switch
2.4 GHz
Video
Antenna
TV Output
Connector
TV Channel
Switch
Power On-Off
Switch
V IDEO S ENDER R ECEIVER (VR20A)

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VGA-T O -V IDEO C ONVERTER (VA23A)
Use the supplied adapters if you are using a PS/2 mouse and
connecting to a PS/2 port. Note: If you connect a PS/2 Mouse to the
VA23A (using the supplied PS/2-to-serial adapter) you MUST connect
the VA23A to a PS/2 port (using the supplied serial-to-PS/2 adapter).
You cannot connect a PS/2 mouse to the VA23A and then connect
the VA23A to a serial port, or vice versa.
Attach the VA23A to the side of your PC using the supplied Velcro.™
Use the buttons on the front of the VA23A to adjust the horizontal and
vertical position of the picture displayed on your TV.
V PAN H PAN
DC IN
VIDEO OUT
MOUSE EXTENDER
To mouse
To PC's PS/2 or serial port

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C ABLES
3Serial to PS/2 cable (Male)
2PS/2 to Serial cable
(Female)
1Monitor cable
7Coaxial F connector cable
6A/V cable
4Power/Video/Mouse cable
5Audio cable

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COMPUTER
MONITOR
VIDEO OUT
MONITOR OUT
MOUSE
EXTENDER
PC
SERIAL
H Pan
V Pan
AUDIO IN
VIDEO IN
MOUSE
EXTENDER
LEFT RIGHT
MOUSE
OUT
DC IN
VGA IN
DC
VGA
VT24A
VA23A
MOUSE
LINE OUT
(SPEAKER OUT)
CONNECTING UP
HOOKING UP THE VGA-TO-VIDEO CONVERTER
(WITH A SERIAL MOUSE)
1. Disconnect the computer end of your monitor cable and connect it
to the Monitor OUT socket on the VA23A, leaving the other end
of the cable connected to your monitor.
2. Connect the VGA output from your computer to the VGA IN
socket on the VA23A, using cable 1.
3. Connect your existing serial mouse to the serial input on the
VA23A.
4. Connect the serial output on the VA23A to the serial mouse port
on your PC.
5. Peel the backing from the attached Velcro™ and attach the VA23A
to the side of your computer.
1
Your existing
monitor cable.
Bulleted numbers
refer to the cables
on page 11.

15
COMPUTER
MONITOR
VIDEO OUT
MONITOR OUT
MOUSE
EXTENDER
PC
SERIAL
H Pan
V Pan
AUDIO IN
VIDEO IN
MOUSE
EXTENDER
LEFT RIGHT
MOUSE
OUT
DC IN
VGA IN
DC
VGA
VT24A
VA23A
PS/2
MOUSE
LINE OUT
(SPEAKER OUT)
PS/2
ADAPTOR
HOOKING UP THE VGA-TO-VIDEO CONVERTER
(WITH A PS/2 MOUSE)
1. Disconnect the computer end of your monitor cable and connect it
to the Monitor OUT socket on the VA23A, leaving the other end
of the cable connected to your monitor.
2. Connect the VGA output from your computer to the VGA IN
socket on the VA23A, using cable 1.
3. Connect your existing PS/2 mouse to the serial input on the
VA23A using the supplied PS/2-to-serial adapter 2.
4. Connect the serial output on the VA23A to the PS/2 mouse port
on your PC using the supplied serial-to-PS/2 adapter 3.
5. Peel the backing from the attached Velcro™ and attach the VA23A
to the side of your computer.
1
2
3
Your existing
monitor cable.
Bulleted numbers
refer to the cables
on page 11.

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COMPUTER
MONITOR
VIDEO OUT
MONITOR OUT
MOUSE
EXTENDER
PC
SERIAL
H Pan
V Pan
AUDIO IN
VIDEO IN
MOUSE
EXTENDER
LEFT RIGHT
MOUSE
OUT
DC IN
VGA IN
DC
VGA
VT24A
VA23A
MOUSE
LINE OUT
(SPEAKER OUT)
HOOKING UP THE VIDEO SENDER TRANSMITTER
1. Using cable 4follow these three steps:
A: connect DC OUT on the VT24A to the DC IN on the VA23A.
B: connect mouse extender OUT on the VT24A to mouse extender
IN on the VA23A.
C: connect Video OUT on the VA23A to Video IN on the VT24A.
2. Using cable 5connect the AUDIO out jack from your computer's
sound card to the Audio IN Jacks on the VT24A Transmitter.
3. Plug the Video Sender Transmitter into a convenient 120V outlet.
4. Set the power switch to ON.
5. Fully extend the telescopic antenna.
6. Position the Video Sender Transmitter in a convenient location and
orient the antenna so that the flat side points in the direction of the
room where you will be installing the Video Sender Receiver.
Note: do not place it on top of your monitor as the monitor can
interfere with its operation.
4
5
Bulleted numbers
refer to the cables
on page 11.

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HOOKING UP THE VIDEO SENDER RECEIVER
1. Using cable 6connect the LINE OUT jacks the Video Sender
Receiver to the Video IN jacks on your TV.
AUDIO
VIDEO LR
VIDEO LR
AUDIO
TV
2. Plug the Video Sender Receiver into a 120 volt wall outlet.
3. Set power switch to ON.
4. Position the Video Sender Receiver in a convenient location and
orient the antenna so that the flat side points in the direction of the
room where you set up the Video Sender Transmitter.
I F YOUR TV DOES NOT HAVE
A/V L INE I N CONNECTORS
You can use the supplied coaxial
F connector cable 7to connect
the TV OUT socket on the Video
Sender to the Antenna input on
your TV. If you already have an
antenna connected to your TV,
you will need to use a standard
TV antenna splitter.
Set your TV and the TV Channel
switch on the Video Sender to the
same channel (3 or 4).
TV
UHF/VHF
ANTENNA
TO TV
TO TV ANTENNA
12
TV
6
Bulleted numbers
refer to the cables
on page 11.
7

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I F YOUR TV IS ALREADY HOOKED UP TO A DSS R ECEIVER OR OTHER
A/V DEVICE
If your DSS Receiver or other A/V component is connected to the TV
using A/V cables, you can connect the Video Sender Receiver to the
free LINE IN jacks on the component. If there are no LINE IN jacks,
you will need to use a TV antenna splitter as described earlier.
DSS
OUT
IN
AUDIO
VIDEO L R
TV
VIDEO LR
AUDIO

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FINE TUNING YOUR VIDEO SENDER
The Wireless Video Sender usually works best with the flat faces of
the antennas on the Transmitter and Receiver unit facing each other
(see diagram below). Sometimes, however, reflections and other
effects in the home may affect the signal so that some adjustment of
either the Transmitter or Receiver antenna may be necessary to get
the best the signal.
If you are not getting any signal at all: Check that the CHANNEL
slide switch (labeled 1 to 4) on both Video Sender units is set to the
same number. If you are using coaxial TV connections from the Video
Sender Receiver, check that the TV is connected to it is tuned to the
same channel as the TV Channel switch on the Video Sender (3 or 4).
I F THE SIGNAL IS POOR , OR THERE IS INTERFERENCE
Try changing the channel on both Video Sender units. Do this by
adjusting the CHANNEL slide switch on the side of each unit to any
position from 1-4. Make sure both units are set to the same channel.

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RESOLUTION, REFRESH RATE, AND PICTURE ADJUSTMENT
Once you have the VA23A connected to your computer and to the
VT24A transmitter, and the VA20A connected to your TV you will be
able to see the picture from your PC on your TV screen. Note
however that the VA23A only works at 640 x 480 resolution, and a
refresh rate of 60 Hz. If you normally use your computer at a higher
resolution you will need to change this to use the VK25A system.
To do this (for Windows 95) right-click on our desktop and select
properties. Then select settings, choose 640 x 480 and click OK. If a
refresh rate setting is offered, make sure it is set for 60 Hz. (Note: an
updated driver might be available for your video card from the video
card manufacturer's WEB site). It might be necessary to reboot your
computer after changing this setting.
For Windows 3.x
1. Select the Windows Setup icon in the Program Manager.
2. Choose Change System Settings from the Options menu.
3. Select the 640 x 480 driver for the installed video card from the
Display pull-down box. Select 60 Hz if available (see above).
4. Select OK to confirm the setting change. At this point Windows
will locate the driver (either in the system or on a floppy disk
provided with the video card) and then re-start.
Note: if you can't find the driver for your video card, or the selected
driver doesn't display a picture on your TV, install the standard
Windows VGA driver which should be resident in the system. (Or
download the latest driver for your video card from its manufacturer's
WEB site).
After you see your PC's picture on your TV screen you can adjust its
position up and down, and left and right by pressing the arrow
buttons on the VA23A VGA-to-Video converter.